TOPIC:

You could say this series is best summed up as two average test teams playing really competitive cricket.

You'd have to think Khawaja is finished now they've gone for a generational change. Wade is another that needs the red pen and this was the test to do it for Mitch Marsh. Wade's selection probably demonstrates how far standards have dropped in the current Sheffield Shield system.

Agree Paine needs a dignified exit for his service to country at its hour of need but he can't be the choice as either keeper or captain after this series.

Dazzler wrote: You could say this series is best summed up as two average test teams playing really competitive cricket.

You'd have to think Khawaja is finished now they've gone for a generational change. Wade is another that needs the red pen and this was the test to do it for Mitch Marsh. Wade's selection probably demonstrates how far standards have dropped in the current Sheffield Shield system.

Agree Paine needs a dignified exit for his service to country at its hour of need but he can't be the choice as either keeper or captain after this series.

Certainly agree on average test teams and giving Mitch Marsh another go (on top of another and another) would have added to the averageness of the Australian side - when it comes to Mitch Marsh people should just google his test record and forget that he is a West Australian.

ooollllrrrrrry2 wrote:

Dazzler wrote: You could say this series is best summed up as two average test teams playing really competitive cricket.

You'd have to think Khawaja is finished now they've gone for a generational change. Wade is another that needs the red pen and this was the test to do it for Mitch Marsh. Wade's selection probably demonstrates how far standards have dropped in the current Sheffield Shield system.

Agree Paine needs a dignified exit for his service to country at its hour of need but he can't be the choice as either keeper or captain after this series.

Certainly agree on average test teams and giving Mitch Marsh another go (on top of another and another) would have added to the averageness of the Australian side - when it comes to Mitch Marsh people should just google his test record and forget that he is a West Australian.

I'm not advocating for Mitch Marsh. His bowling would have been handy last Test but he's had too many goes and his batting is technically flawed. I guess I'm more pointing to the dilemma the selection of Wade has created for filling the number 6 spot. It's a spot that you'd say is going to be up for grabs this for this summer.

Freezin wrote: Only way Paine will be dropped,is if Aust lose this series and thus the ashes...but agree Carey at 7 followed by Cummins, Pattinson and Starc does add some depth....can see Pucovski batting 6 this summer v NZ....pity not already....

What about Kurtis Patterson Freeze?
He didnt do much wrong in his 2 Tests batting at 6 last Summer which has made it even more astonishing Wade got the nod over him for this Ashes series.

We also might need a couple of new openers after this series.
Warner made 61 in the first innings at Headingley and has scored a total of 18 runs in his six other bats.
What do the selectors do for The Oval Test if Harris again fails in our second innings?
Bancroft and Harris have scored a combined 84 runs in seven innings.

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote: We also might need a couple of new openers after this series.
Warner made 61 in the first innings at Headingley and has scored a total of 18 runs in his six other bats.
What do the selectors do for The Oval Test if Harris again fails in our second innings?
Bancroft and Harris have scored a combined 84 runs in seven innings.

Joe Burns for one - made a hundred in his last test and averages over 40 at test level - Bancroft's test average is barely above 25 and Harris is barely 30.

Warner has the runs on the board over his career and I think will come good.

Another piss poor effort by the lefties in the Aust top 6....Langer being a leftie will keep picking them...Smith again is Aust sole chance to get to 300.....so predictable this top 6......Wades shot was farking embarrassing....who cares if you can't score...be patient and get to lunch and who knows what will happen post lunch...it ain't rocket science....

At last a captains knock by Paine, stuck around while Smith did what Smith does, Smith is a dead set freak and Australias savior. 8 for 497 dec a great effort on the back of Smith Paine Lab and a nice wag of the tail. And a nice start with Denly out to Cummins. Hope the quicks can make some serious inroads in the first session, then the Goat can finish them off, keep them to no more than 300 and we are in the drivers seat if no more rain. Good to see the deplorable effort to lose the last test hasn't mentally slowed the boys down. Two pretty average teams but a great contest non the less.

Freezin wrote: Another piss poor effort by the lefties in the Aust top 6....Langer being a leftie will keep picking them...Smith again is Aust sole chance to get to 300.....so predictable this top 6......Wades shot was farking embarrassing....who cares if you can't score...be patient and get to lunch and who knows what will happen post lunch...it ain't rocket science....

Spot on Freeze.
This pitch looks as flat as attack so every run will be crucial as proved in that last Test at Headingly when our squib batsmen (minus Labushagne) didnt put enough value on their wickets to eek out every run possible and keep the Poms out in the field for more than a day ffs!

Well done again to Smudger Smith.After the heavy blow received in the second test. I think we have England here .Not even Ben Stokes can save them in Manchester.